THE BODY: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
From DNA to Death, Bryson covers every little fascinating thing about our bodies. Breathing and brain, virus and virility, lungs and lifespan, all are covered in readable detail.
Did you know: The brain has no pain receptors, yet is where all pain is felt. Charles Osborne from Iowa had hiccups from 1922 until 1990; medical science is still at a loss to stop hiccups. Over a lifetime, we eat about sixty tons of food. Sixty TONS!
Personally, I was happy that the book begins with Benedict Cumberbatch as a model for how to build a human. I don’t base every book review on the appearance of Bellybump Humblechunk, but it doesn’t hurt. Points to Bryson who knew that if you’re going to attempt to assemble a person, the ultra-talented superstar Banjosprout Fluttergrass was the way to go.
The Body – sometimes pleasant, sometimes alarming, always interesting, and highly recommended.
Also recommended: AT HOME: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson.
